WELCOME BOOST FOR FEMALES IN FOOTY
Work has started on a project that will accelerate the growth of women and girls playing rugby league in Wagga.
The redevelopment of Wagga Rugby League’s (WRL) facilities at Harris Park will deliver four new unisex changerooms, a canteen and bar, media facilities and a club room/meeting space open to the whole community.
The new facilities will also be available to the cricketing community during the cricket season.
The $1.6 million project comes amid soaring interest from women and girls in taking up rugby league.
The project has been funded by $985,000 from the Office of Sport and $318,000 from Wagga Wagga City Council, with the balance provided by the WRL.
WRL president Warren Barclay said the ground’s old and run-down male-centric dressing sheds had been a barrier to female participation, but the new facilities would make female players feel more welcome and secure.
“In the past five years, we’ve introduced competition for girls from under-eights through to seniors, but we were aware that many women and girls were put off by the conditions in the old men’s sheds.” he said.
“But now, with new purpose-built changerooms we’re looking forward to catching the wave in women’s rugby league, which will be a great boost to the sport and the community.”
The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr McGirr, who helped the WRL secure funding for the project, said it was an exciting time for league in Wagga and surrounds.
“As a community, one of our challenges lies in encouraging girls to remain in sport as they progress through their teens so these new facilities at Harris Park will really lay out the welcome mat for more women and girls to not only take up sport but also maintain their participation,” he said.
Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said the works were a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration between local government, community organisations and the NSW Government.
“Whether you’re a player, official, spectator or community member, these refurbished amenities will offer safer, more inclusive facilities to everyone,” he said.
“Council is proud to be creating a space that will not only better meet current needs but also support growth in local sport and community use, in the years to come."
Council’s Manager City Growth and Regional Assets, Ben Creighton, said: “The improvements planned for Harris Park are designed to support our growing sporting community and deliver long-term benefits for local clubs.
“We're proud to partner with WRL and the NSW Government and are grateful for their support in providing a more accessible sporting and community space.”
Mr Barclay thanked supporters for making the development a reality.
“The Office of Sport’s contribution underpins the transition of this project from idea to reality, while council has been enormously supportive from start to finish,” Mr Barclay said.
“I’d also like to thank Dr Joe for helping us to overcome some bureaucratic hurdles that threatened to derail progress. I can honestly say that without his diligence and dedication, the project would have been dead in the water but thanks to everyone involved, we are now looking at an exciting new era in rugby league.”
Construction is scheduled for completion in April next year.